Measuring Perceived Research Competence of Junior Researchers.

Graduates of doctoral (Ph.D.) programs are expected to be competent at designing and conducting research independently. Given the level of research competence needed to successfully conduct research, it is important that assessors of doctoral programs (e.g., faculty and staff) have a reliable and validated tool for measuring and tracking perceived research competence among their students and graduates. A high level of research competence is expected for all Ph.D. graduates worldwide, in addition to in all disciplines/fields. Moreover, graduates of Ph.D. programs may complete their studies in one country but then obtain a research position in another country, emphasizing the need to ensure that all doctoral programs are fostering similar levels of research competence. Thus, the purpose of this study was to gather additional evidence for validity and reliability of the Research Competence (R-Comp) scale. Specifically, we sought to extend the findings of by adapting the scale, translating it to other languages, and applying the tool with a sample of early stage researchers. Our findings provide initial evidence that the adapted PR-Comp is appropriate for use in three languages and across a variety of disciplines/programs of study.

Estimating surface soil moisture from SMAP observations using a Neural Network technique.

A Neural Network (NN) algorithm was developed to estimate global surface soil moisture for April 2015 to March 2017 with a 2-3 day repeat frequency using passive microwave observations from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, surface soil temperatures from the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Model version 5 (GEOS-5) land modeling system, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer-based vegetation water content. The NN was trained on GEOS-5 soil moisture target data, making the NN estimates consistent with the GEOS-5 climatology, such that they may ultimately be assimilated into this model without further bias correction. Evaluated against in situ soil moisture measurements, the average unbiased root mean square error (ubRMSE), correlation and anomaly correlation of the NN retrievals were 0.037 m3m-3, 0.70 and 0.66, respectively, against SMAP core validation site measurements and 0.026 m3m-3, 0.58 and 0.48, respectively, against International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN) measurements. At the core validation sites, the NN retrievals have a significantly higher skill than the GEOS-5 model estimates and a slightly lower correlation skill than the SMAP Level-2 Passive (L2P) product. The feasibility of the NN method was reflected by a lower ubRMSE compared to the L2P retrievals as well as a higher skill when ancillary parameters in physically-based retrievals were uncertain. Against ISMN measurements, the skill of the two retrieval products was more comparable. A triple collocation analysis against Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) and Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) soil moisture retrievals showed that the NN and L2P retrieval errors have a similar spatial distribution, but the NN retrieval errors are generally lower in densely vegetated regions and transition zones.

Changes in muscle architecture of biceps femoris induced by eccentric strength training with nordic hamstring exercise.

Eccentric strength training alters muscle architecture, but it is also an important factor for the prevention of hamstring injuries. The purpose was to determine the architectural adaptations of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) after eccentric strength training with nordic hamstring exercise (NHE), followed by a subsequent detraining period. The participants in this intervention (n=23) completed a period of 13 weeks consisting of a first week of control and prior training, followed by 8 weeks of eccentric strength training with NHE, and concluding with a 4-week period of detraining. The architectural characteristics of the BFlh were measured at rest using two-dimensional ultrasound before (M1-week 1) and after (M2-week 9) the eccentric strength training, and at the end of the detraining period (M3-week 13). The muscle fascicle length significantly increased (t=-7.73, d=2.28, P<.001) in M2 compared to M1, as well as the muscle thickness (t=-5.23, d=1.54, P<.001), while the pennation angle presented a significant decrease (t=7.81, d=2.3, P<.001). The muscle fascicle length decreased significantly (t=6.07, d=1.79, P<.001) in M3 compared to M2, while the pennation angle showed a significant increase (t=-4.63, d=1.36, P<.001). The results provide evidence that NHE may cause alterations in the architectural conditions of the BFlh and may have practical implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.

Biopsia de ganglio centinela en pacientes con cáncer de mama multifocal y multicéntrico: 5 años de seguimiento / Sentinel node biopsy in patients with multifocal and multicentric breast cancer: A 5-year follow-up

Objetivo: La biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela (BSGC) como procedimiento de estadificación en el cáncer de mama múltiple es cuestión de controversia. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la eficiencia de detección del ganglio centinela (GC) en las pacientes con cáncer multifocal o multicéntrico, y la seguridad de su aplicación clínica, tras un seguimiento prolongado. Material y métodos: Se realiza un estudio prospectivo descriptivo. Se estudian 89 pacientes con cáncer múltiple de mama sometidas a BSGC (73 procesos multifocales, 16 multicéntricos), comparándolas con las que presentaron neoplasia unifocal. En la mayor parte de las BSGC se realizó administración periareolar del radiocoloide. Se realiza la evaluación a los 67,2 meses de seguimiento medio (32-126 meses). Resultados: Las tasas de localización gammagráfica y quirúrgica del GC en las pacientes con cáncer de mama múltiple fueron respectivamente 95,5% y 92,1%, observándose mayor porcentaje de GC extraaxilares que en los procesos unifocales (11,7% frente a 5,4%) y un número de GC por paciente significativamente mayor (1,70 frente a 1,38). La tasa de localización del GC en el cáncer multicéntrico fue ligeramente inferior al multifocal (87,5% frente a 93,1%) y el hallazgo de drenajes extra-axilares más elevado (20% frente a 10%). El número promedio de GC por paciente fue significativamente superior en el cáncer multicéntrico (2,33 frente a 1,57). No se han registrado recurrencias axilares en el seguimiento de las pacientes con cáncer múltiple. Conclusiones: La BSGC mediante inyección periareolar es un procedimiento preciso y fiable de estadificación del cáncer de mama múltiple, incluso multicéntrico (AU)

Objective: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a staging procedure in multiple breast cancer is a controversial issue. We have aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sentinel node (SN) detection in patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer as well as the safety of its clinical application after a long follow-up. Material and methods: A prospective descriptive study was performed. Eighty-nine patients diagnosed of multiple breast cancer (73 multifocal; 16 multicentric) underwent SLNB. These patients were compared to those with unifocal neoplasia. Periareolar radiocolloid administration was performed in most of the patients. Evaluation was made at an average of 67.2 months of follow-up (32-126 months). Results: Scintigraphic and surgical SN localization in patients with multiple breast cancer were 95.5% and 92.1%, respectively. A higher percentage of extra-axillary nodes was observed than in the unifocal group (11.7% vs 5.4%) as well as a significantly higher number of SN per patient (1.70 vs 1.38). The rate of SNlocalization in multicentric cancer was slightly lower than in multifocal cancer (87.5% vs 93.1%), and the finding of extra-axillary drainages was higher (20% vs 10%). Number of SN per patient was significantly higher in multicentric breast cancer (2.33 vs 1.57). No axillary relapses have been demonstrated in the follow-up in multiple breast cancer patients group. Conclusions: SLNB performed by periareolar injection is a reliable and accurate staging procedure of patients with multiple breast cancer, including those with multicentric processes (AU)

[Sentinel node biopsy in patients with multifocal and multicentric breast cancer: A 5-year follow-up]. / Biopsia de ganglio centinela en pacientes con cáncer de mama multifocal y multicéntrico: 5 años de seguimiento.

OBJECTIVE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a staging procedure in multiple breast cancer is a controversial issue. We have aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sentinel node (SN) detection in patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer as well as the safety of its clinical application after a long follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was performed. Eighty-nine patients diagnosed of multiple breast cancer (73 multifocal; 16 multicentric) underwent SLNB. These patients were compared to those with unifocal neoplasia. Periareolar radiocolloid administration was performed in most of the patients. Evaluation was made at an average of 67.2 months of follow-up (32-126 months). RESULTS: Scintigraphic and surgical SN localization in patients with multiple breast cancer were 95.5% and 92.1%, respectively. A higher percentage of extra-axillary nodes was observed than in the unifocal group (11.7% vs 5.4%) as well as a significantly higher number of SN per patient (1.70 vs 1.38). The rate of SN localization in multicentric cancer was slightly lower than in multifocal cancer (87.5% vs 93.1%), and the finding of extra-axillary drainages was higher (20% vs 10%). Number of SN per patient was significantly higher in multicentric breast cancer (2.33 vs 1.57). No axillary relapses have been demonstrated in the follow-up in multiple breast cancer patients group. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB performed by periareolar injection is a reliable and accurate staging procedure of patients with multiple breast cancer, including those with multicentric processes.

Efectos del Programa Mínimo de Incremento Prosocial en una muestra de estudiantes de educación secundaria / The effects of the Minim Program of Prosocial Improvement on a high school students sample

Se presentan los elementos centrales de la prosocialidad que justifican el interés de un proyecto de intervención de doce sesiones en la secundaria (PMIP: Programa Mínimo de Incremento Prosocial (Roche, 2002). En el diseño y aplicación de dicho programa se asume que incrementar la cantidad y calidad de las acciones prosociales incide en la prevención de los comportamientos agresivos o antisociales y mejora la educación emocional y el clima social en el aula. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los efectos del PMIP en estudiantes de educación secundaria. Participaron 198 estudiantes pertenecientes a seis escuelas de la provincia de Barcelona (España) con una edad media= 14.49 años (SD= 0.80; rango= 14-16) de los cuales 53.5% fueron mujeres. Los estudiantes fueron asignados intencionalmente, al grupo experimental (n= 128) o al grupo control (n= 70), según decisión de la dirección de cada uno de los seis centros participantes. Se realiza un estudio factorial con grupo control no equivalente de diseño unifactorial intersujetos en el cual todos los estudiantes respondieron a dos cuestionarios sobre el comportamiento prosocial de sus compañeros y acerca del clima del aula. Los resultados muestran que existen diferencias significativas a favor del grupo experimental en el incremento de los comportamientos prosociales individuales y en la percepción colectiva del clima del aula en cuanto a la ayuda a sujetos con problemas físicos (p<0.001), la valoración positiva del trabajo de los otros y en particular de sus acciones positivas (p=0.007), y acerca de la aproximación hacia los compañeros solos o marginados (p= 0.007) (AU)

This paper presents the core elements of prosocial behaviour that justify the interest in a 12-session intervention programme in high-school (PMIP: Programa Mínimo de Incremento Prosocial - Roche, 2002). In the design and application of this programme, it is assumed that increasing the quantity and quality of prosocial actions has an effect on preventing aggressive and antisocial behaviours and improves the emotional education and the social climate on class. The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of PMIP in secondary school students. The participants are 198 students from six schools in the province of Barcelona (Spain) with an average age of 14.49 years old (SD= 0.80; range 14 till 16) and 53.% percent of women. The students were intentional assigned into experimental (n= 128) or control group (n= 70) according to Direction of the participant school. It was realize a one-factorial design with no-equivalent control group between subjects, which students answered two questionnaires about their partners’ prosocial behaviour and class climate. The results show a significant differences in favour of the experimental group in the increase of the prosocial individual behaviour and in the collective perception of the atmosphere of the classroom as for the help to subjects with physical problems (p<0 .001), the positive valuation of the work of others and specially of his actions (p=0 .007), and it brings over the approximation towards the companions alone or isolated (p = 0.007) (AU)

Environmental changes and human work in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain: processes and interactions.

The environment and society constitute a complex of elements and interactions. Thus, an understanding of the processes in which the environment and psychosocial elements are involved may not be gained from knowledge of just one isolated variable. Based on such premises, the present paper, which summarizes the results of a series of studies, adopts work relationships as its main focus, but in addition, it has two complementary objectives. One is to present some analyses on the interaction between human actions and the environmental changes that have been taking place in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain and in its boundaries. A secondary aim is to show how those two factors have been changing people's working and living conditions and the identity configuration of some of the human groups that live at that site.

Environmental changes and human work in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain: processes and interactions / Mudanças ambientais e trabalho humano na região da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná: processos e interações

The environment and society constitute a complex of elements and interactions. Thus, an understanding of the processes in which the environment and psychosocial elements are involved may not be gained from knowledge of just one isolated variable. Based on such premises, the present paper, which summarizes the results of a series of studies, adopts work relationships as its main focus, but in addition, it has two complementary objectives. One is to present some analyses on the interaction between human actions and the environmental changes that have been taking place in the region of the Upper Paraná River floodplain and in its boundaries. A secondary aim is to show how those two factors have been changing people's working and living conditions and the identity configuration of some of the human groups that live at that site.

O ambiente e a sociedade são conjuntos complexos de elementos e de interações. Por isto, a compreensão de processos em que estejam envolvidos tanto elementos ambientais quanto psicossociais não pode ser feito a partir do conhecimento de uma ou outra variável isolada. Partindo destas premissas, este texto adota como eixo principal as relações de trabalho e tem dois objetivos complementares. Um deles é o de apresentar algumas análises sobre a interação entre as ações humanas e as transformações ambientais que vêm ocorrendo na região da planície de inundação do Alto Rio e em seus entornos. O outro é o de mostrar como aqueles dois fatores têm alterado as condições de trabalho, de vida e até mesmo a configuração da identidade dos participantes de alguns dos grupos humanos que ali residem.

A new generation of bio-derived ceramic materials for medical applications.

A new generation of bio-derived ceramics can be developed as a base material for medical implants. Specific plant species are used as templates on which innovative transformation processes can modify the chemical composition maintaining the original biostructure. Building on the outstanding mechanical properties of the starting lignocellulosic templates, it is possible to develop lightweight and high-strength scaffolds for bone substitution. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of this new silicon carbide material (bioSiC) and how it gets colonized by the hosting bone tissue because of its unique interconnected hierarchic porosity, which opens the door to new biomedical applications.

[Lercanidipine in diabetic patients with renal failure]. / Lercanidipino en pacientes diabéticos it con insuficiencia renal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safe use of a new calcium channel blocker, lercanidipine, in diabetic chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study recruited 42 diabetic CRF patients (creatinine > 1.4 mg/dl for males, creatinine > 1.2 mg/dl for females, or creatinine clearance < 70 ml/min). Mean age was 68.2 +/- 9.1 years. 53.8% were males and 46.2% females. Three patients were type 1 diabetics and 39 ones were type II. All patients were receiving ACE inhibitors (67.4%) or angiotensin II antagonist (32.6%) therapy but they had higher blood pressure than recommended for CRF patients (130/85 mmHg). No patients were under diuretic treatment. Patients were clinically evaluated 1, 3 and 6 months after starting treatment with lercanidipine. Samples for urine and blood examination were taken during the examination. When needed, a third drug was added to treatment, excluding diuretics. Creatinine clearance was measured using 24 h urine collection. RESULTS: BP significantly decrease from 163 +/- 18/90 +/- 8 mmHg to 134 +/- 12/77 +/- 9 mmHg. One half of patients showed significant reduction of blood pressure, 26.7% reached the target blood pressure (< 130/85 mmHg) and 20.0% gets optimal BP control (< 130/85 mmHg). No one patient showed untoward effects. No edema was detected nor adverse effects related to vasodilatation were found. Plasmatic creatinine did not change (1.9 +/- 0.5 baseline vs 1.8 +/- 0.5 mg/dl) and creatinine clearance increased at the end visit (40.1 +/- 14.5 baseline vs 45.4 +/- 18.2 ml/min) but the difference was not significant. Proteinuria was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Lercanidipine showed a good antihypertensive effect in diabetics CRF patients. It has a good tolerability profile and showed neutral effect on plasmatic lipids. Neither impairment of renal function nor increment in proteinuria were detected.

New biomorphic SiC ceramics coated with bioactive glass for biomedical applications.

A new generation of light, tough and high-strength material for medical implants for bone substitutions with a good biological response is presented. The innovative product that fulfills all these requirements is based on biomorphic silicon carbide ceramics coated with a bioactive glass layer. The combination of the excellent mechanical properties and low density of the biomorphic SiC ceramics, used as a base material for implants, with the osteoconducting properties of the bioactive glass materials opens new possibilities for the development of alternative dental and orthopedic implants with enhanced mechanical and biochemical properties that ensures optimum fixation to living tissue. Biomorphic SiC is fabricated by molten-Si infiltration of carbon templates obtained by controlled pyrolysis of wood. Through this process, the microstructure of the final SiC product mimics that of the starting wood, which has been perfected by natural evolution. The basic features of such microstructure are its porosity (ranging from 30% to 70%) and its anisotropy, which resembles the cellular microstructure and the mechanical characteristics of the bone. The SiC ceramics have been successfully coated with a uniform and adherent bioactive glass film by pulsed laser ablation using an excimer ArF laser. The excellent coverage of the SiC rough surface without film spallation or detachment is demonstrated. In order to assess the coating bioactivity, in vitro tests by soaking the samples in simulated body fluid have been carried out. After 72 h, the formation of a dense apatite layer has been observed even in interconnecting pores by SEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis demonstrating the bioactive response of this product.

[Factors that affect the prescription of benzodiazepines and actions to improve their use: a Delphi study of primary care doctors]. / Factores que influyen en la prescripción de benzodiacepinas y acciones para mejorar su uso: un estudio Delphi en médicos de atención primaria.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the factors that affect the prescription of benzodiazepines and similar drugs and the actions that can be taken to reduce their prescription.Design. Consensus method. Delphi technique. SETTING: Four primary care areas in Asturias. Participants. 39 doctors from primary care teams agreed voluntarily to take part in the study, and 32 completed the study. They belonged to 20 health centres. METHOD: They were sent by mail three questionnaires one after the other. The second and third questionnaires were worked out on the basis of the analysis of the information from the replies to the preceding questionnaire. Those who did not send in a reply were reminded by phone. RESULTS: The 5 most influential factors in benzodiazepine prescription were agreed: reduction in the threshold of tolerance of emotional discomfort; increase of the prevalence of pathologies; lack of time in the consulting-room; social and economic conditioning factors; properties of the benzodiazepine family. The 5 most important actions that could reduce prescription of these drugs were agreed: general health education; reduction in case loads; making doctors more conscious of prescribing correctly; strengthening the social support network; doctors fomenting use of effective alternative treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The prescription of benzodiazepines and their analogues is a multi-factorial action with social and psychological roots. The action most voted on to reduce their prescription was general health education.

Factores que influyen en la prescripción de benzodiacepinas y acciones para mejorar su uso: un estudio Delphi en médicos de atención primaria / Factors that affect the prescription of benzodiazepines and actions to improve their use: a delphi study of primary care doctors

Objetivo. Identificar qué factores influyen en la prescripción de benzodiacepinas y análogos, y qué acciones pueden disminuir su prescripción. Diseño. Método de consenso. Técnica Delphi. Emplazamiento. Cuatro áreas de atención primaria de Asturias. Participantes. Aceptaron participar voluntariamente en el estudio 39 médicos de equipo de atención primaria, 32 finalizaron el estudio. Pertenecían a 20 centros de salud. Método. Se les envió de forma sucesiva tres cuestionarios por correo. El segundo y el tercero se elaboraron a partir del análisis de la información de las respuestas dadas al precedente. Como recordatorio se llamó por teléfono a aquellos de los que no se recibía respuesta. Resultados. Se consensuaron los 5 factores más influyentes en la prescripción de benzodiacepinas: disminución del umbral de tolerancia de la población al malestar emocional; aumento de la prevalencia de patologías; falta de tiempo en la consulta; condicionantes socioeconómicos; propiedades de las benzodiacepinas. Se consensuaron las 5 acciones más importantes que pueden disminuir la prescripción de estos fármacos: educación sanitaria a la población; disminuir la presión asistencial; concienciar a los médicos de una correcta prescripción; potenciar la red de apoyos sociales, y que los médicos fomenten el uso de tratamientos alternativos eficaces. Conclusiones. La prescripción de benzodiacepinas y análogos es un acto multifactorial con raíces sociales y psicológicas. Para disminuir su prescripción la acción más votada fue la educación sanitaria a la población (AU)

Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic column switching for the determination of N-methylcarbamates and some of their main metabolites in urine.

A column switching system for the determination of some polar pesticides and their main metabolites, such as aldicarb, aldicarb sulphoxide, aldicarb sulphone, carbofuran and 3-hydroxicarbofuran, in human urine has been developed. The limits of detection were between 0.3 and 1 microg/l. We used a simple solid-phase extraction with graphite carbon and a RPLC-LC analysis with UV detection yielding average recoveries between 84 and 110% (N=5) with RSD between 4 and 8%.